title: [A comparison of vertical infraclavicular and coracoid approaches in forearm surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite several risks, infraclavicular approaches to the brachial plexus gained popularity. The present study compared success rates, block onset times, block performance times, and frequency of adverse effects of vertical infraclavicular (VIB) and coracoid blocks (CB) in patients undergoing forearm surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  After ethical committee approval and informed consent 40 patients undergoing forearm surgery were included. The brachial plexus was located using a nerve stimulator and an insulated pencil point needle. Thirty ml bupivacaine 0.5% was used for the block. The blocks were assessed every minute for the first 5 min, then every 5 min for 15 min and then every 15 min and at the end of the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Block onset times of both groups were similar. Higher rates of sensory block were found in group CB at the 5th, 10th, and 15th minutes of assessment. Also higher rates of motor block were found in group CB at the 5th, 10th, 15th and 30th minutes of assessment. Time to perform block was shorter in group VIB. One patient in CB group required general anaesthesia. Except two vascular punctures in group CB no other side-effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coracapid block provided higher rates of sensorial and motor blocks in a similar onset time without serious complications. CB can be accepted as a safe and reliable alternative to VIB for forearm surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey. ahmetkoltka@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kemalettin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koltka
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yenigün
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Küçükgöncü
authors.forename: Tülay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Özkan Seyhan
authors.forename: Mert
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sentürk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002968:Clavicle; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine